A new book for preschool children was also launched at the panda party. Titled 凯凯嘉嘉儿歌 (Kai Kai Jia Jia Nursery Rhymes), it tells the adventures of the two pandas in Singapore and aims at engaging pre-schoolers in learning Chinese through the panda ambassadors.

More than 150 guests participated in a Panda Lantern Parade and shone lanterns of hope to light the way for the future of the endangered species.(PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE)

The birthday bash marks the start of week-long festivities at River Safari from 6 to 14 September to commemorate the pandas’ second year in Singapore and celebrate their birthdays.(PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE)

River Safari launches new behind-the-scenes experiencewith exclusive opportunity to visit giant pandas at their den

Participants preparing Kai Kai & Jia Jia’s bamboo breakfast in River Safari’s new Panda Rise and Shine programme which will be launched during Panda Party week.PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE.

Singapore, 27 August 2014 – Go behind-the-scenes with giant panda keepers for an exclusive opportunity to visit Kai Kai & Jia Jia at their dens with Panda Rise & Shine, a programme launched in celebration of River Safari’s Panda Party which commemorates the pandas’ birthdays and second year in Singapore.

During this learning journey, participants get to enter the park before it opens for some quality time with Kai Kai & Jia Jia. They will observe keepers serving the bears their pre-breakfast snack and the morning routine of physical checks, weighing and target training.

This premium programme is the first of its kind in River Safari that brings participants to the Giant Panda Forest back-of-house areas such as the pandas’ dens, kitchen and bamboo storage room. Participants of Panda Rise & Shine will assist keepers in preparing Kai Kai & Jia Jia’s bamboo breakfast and create enrichment toys for the furry duo. Through a personalised guided tour, participants will gain deeper insights into the bears, their diet and home in River Safari.

River Safari’s new Panda Rise and Shine programme, which will be launched during Panda Party week, provides participants with up-close encounters with Kai Kai & Jia Jia, including moments when they undergo target training with their keepers.PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE.

Ms Lok May Kuen, Director, Education, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said: “As part of the upcoming Panda Party week that celebrates Kai Kai & Jia Jia’s birthdays and second anniversary in Singapore, we introduce Panda Rise & Shine, a new programme that offers an up-close encounter with the pandas. This programme allows participants to witness the special bond between keepers and pandas, as well as an opportunity to understand how we take care of this endangered species. We hope that participants will leave with a greater appreciation not just for giant pandas but all threatened wildlife. ”

The learning journey concludes with breakfast at Mama Panda Kitchen. In addition to an exclusive t-shirt and goodie bag, participants will get to bring home professionally taken photos to remember the special experience.

The Panda Rise & Shine programme is available at S$350, inclusive of River Safari admission*. This exclusive experience can accommodate a maximum of 6 people, and is suitable for participants aged 7 years and above. Participants below 13 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. More information can be found online at http://education.riversafari.com.sg/behindTheScenesTours.html.

The new behind-the-scenes experience is part of the activities visitors can look forward to at River Safari’s Panda Party, which aims to increase public awareness on the plight of giant pandas and the efforts to save them. Wildlife Reserves Singapore works closely with global experts in the area of conservation and research of giant pandas in China.

River Safari’s black and white ambassadors invade Westgate and ION Orchard to light the way for endangered giant pandas

Joyful shoppers participated in a panda parade at Westgate on Sunday as part of River Safari’s conservation outreach ahead of the park’s Panda Party held from 6-14 September. CapitaLand is the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda Collaborative Programme.(PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE)

Singapore, 24 August 2014 – In anticipation of Panda Party 2014 which commemorates Kai Kai and Jia Jia’s birthdays and second year in Singapore, visitors to Westgate today participated in a panda parade that involved a party of eight dancing giant panda mascots which spurred the public to do their part for conservation.

Crowds of shoppers donned panda masks and pledged their commitment to save pandas through many ways, from conserving fuel by taking public transport to refraining from using products that may endanger animals. River Safari aims to increase public awareness on the plight of giant pandas, and the activities at the malls is part of the park’s efforts to spread conservation messages beyond its gates. Shoppers to the event were also given a chance to win tickets to River Safari’s Panda Party week from 6 – 14 September.

The public can look out for more panda invasion on 30 and 31 August at ION Orchard, from 12pm to 1pm.

Shoppers were treated to a party of eight dancing panda mascots at Westgate ahead of River Safari’s Panda Party held from 6-14 September. Members of the public also pledged to do their bit for conservation during this outreach event. CapitaLand is the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda Collaborative Programme.(PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE)

Panda Party aims to increase conservation awareness through week-long interactive programmes and a new behind-the scenes tour

Singapore, 14 August 2014 – Plant pledges and ‘grow’ a bamboo forest for pandas, sign up for a new behind-the-scenes experience, read about Kai Kai and Jia Jia’s adventures in Singapore, and be part of a Panda Lantern Parade – these are some of the activities visitors can look forward to at River Safari’s Panda Party, which aims to increase public awareness on the plight of giant pandas and the efforts to save them.

Panda Party 2014 marks the second anniversary of giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia in Singapore, and celebrates Jia Jia turning six on 3 September and Kai Kai turning seven on 14 September. This year’s theme “Light The Way” highlights the threats that pandas face and encourages individuals to take actions to ensure a brighter future for this iconic animal.

Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, “As ambassadors of one of the world’s most endangered species, giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia have brought joy to many visitors in the last two years. We hope the love for pandas can be transformed into initiatives to protect the species, and help light the way for their future. The Panda Party is an excellent occasion to invite the public to celebrate with a cause and be inspired to protect not just pandas, but threatened wildlife all around the world.”

Aside from the one million visitors who come to River Safari annually, the park aims to spread conservation messages beyond its gates. This year, giant panda mascots will be making special appearances at two CapitaMalls to spread the festive cheer and collect conservation pledges to spur the public into action.

To kickstart the festivities during the Panda Party week, River Safari will organise a private birthday bash for Kai Kai and Jia Jia on 5 September. This occasion will also mark the launch of a new children’s book that tells the adventures of the two pandas in Singapore. In addition to invited guests, 50 lucky members of the public will be able to partake in this event which includes a Panda Lantern Parade to shine lanterns of hope for the future of giant pandas.

During the Panda Party week from 6 to 14 September, visitors to River Safari can expect a line-up of festivities from free guided tours at the Giant Panda Forest to interactive show & tell sessions where they will get the opportunity to feel a panda skull replica and get a whiff of panda poop. Visitors can also plant pledges to help symbolically ‘grow’ a lush bamboo forest for the bears. Kids can enjoy panda art and craft, from face painting to clay modelling activities.

To commemorate this year’s Panda Party, River Safari will launch a new behind-the-scenes tour where participants can get up-close with pandas before the park opens and assist keepers in preparing breakfast for Kai Kai and Jia Jia. This premium experience brings participants to back-of-house areas such as the pandas’ dens, kitchen and bamboo storage room.

As part of the festivities during the Panda Party week, visitors can bring home a free panda lantern with purchases at River Safari’s retail and F&B outlets. In addition to this birthday treat, visitors can look forward to new panda-licious treats such as Panda Chocolate Mousse and wild discounts on panda merchandise.

1. Pandamonium at CapitaMalls (August) Bask in the pre-party atmosphere this August as pandamonium hits selected CapitaMalls managed by CapitaMalls Asia, CapitaLand’s shopping mall business. CapitaLand is the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda Collaborative Programme. Panda mascots Kai Kai and Jia Jia will be making public appearances to surprise panda fans with lots of birthday treats, including a chance to win instant tickets to the Panda Party in a lucky draw and a contest for the best-dressed panda outfit. Members of the public are invited to make conservation pledges, from conserving fuel by taking public transport to refraining from using products that may endanger animals. Shoppers can also take home free panda masks* and partake in a Panda Parade!

*While stocks last

2. Exclusive Panda Party Launch Event (5 September) Light up with us as we launch Panda Party week with an evening of exclusive celebration at River Safari. 50 lucky visitors will get to share a special moment with our VIPs (Very Important Pandas) with giant birthday cakes and exciting performances. The highlight of the evening is a festive Panda Lantern Parade where visitors will shine lanterns of hope for the future of giant pandas.

Manis the Malayan tapir celebrates her 35th birthday at world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals.

Away from the public eye, Manis’ keepers donned black and white polka dotted party hats in her honour and toasted her to many more happy, healthy years as she chomped on her birthday cake, made with her favourite food, including bread, watermelon, papaya and honeydew. PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Singapore, 1 April 2014 – Night Safari’s oldest Malayan tapir, Manis, turned 35 years old on 24 March 2014, and celebrated her birthday in style. She is also one of the region’s oldest Malayan tapirs under human care.

Manis, whose name means ‘sweet’ in Malay, tucked into a lovingly created layered cake consisting of bananas, bread and watermelons, surrounded by honeydew and papaya balls, and blended carrots and fruit sticks spelling out her name and age. The celebrations took place in the back of house yard, away from the public eye.

Night Safari currently has 10 tapirs in her collection; another two reside in Singapore Zoo. Between the two parks, 27 Malayan tapirs have been born. The last birth occurred on 3 June 2013, and happens to be Manis’ great-granddaughter.

Malayan tapirs are the largest of the five species of tapir, and the only one native to Asia. Listed as endangered on the IUCN* Red List of Threatened Species, threats include habitat loss and fragmentation, and increasingly, hunting pressure.

Singapore, 14 August 2013 – Get ready for pandamonium this September as giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia celebrate their birthdays and first anniversary in Singapore. In this triple celebration, River Safari will commemorate the pandas’ one-year anniversary in Singapore since their arrival on 6 September last year, and celebrate Jia Jia turning five on 3 September and Kai Kai turning six on 14 September.

Party animals can look forward to a lineup of festivities at River Safari from 7 to 15 September. Leading up to this festive occasion is the search for 10 lucky Panda Party Planners who will go behind the scenes with panda keepers to prepare a special birthday cake and toy for Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

1. Search for Panda Party Planners (August)
For the first time, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is inviting the public to go behind the scenes at River Safari with Kai Kai and Jia Jia’s keepers to be ‘Panda Party Planners’ and prepare a special birthday cake and toy for the two giant pandas. Ten lucky individuals will get to learn more about panda care, and enjoy a priceless experience that includes visiting River Safari’s bamboo nursery, food preparation at the Giant Panda Forest Kitchen, and making enrichment toys to keep the pandas mentally and physically stimulated.

WRS is partnering CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand), the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the 10-year Giant Panda Collaborative Programme, in the search for the Panda Party Planners. Five CapitaLand Inside Different Geographies readers will be given the exclusive opportunity to be part of Kai Kai and Jia Jia’s birthday party preparation. Simply follow @CL_Inside on Twitter, tell us why you should be chosen as a Panda Party Planner and hashtag CL_Inside (#CL_Inside) on the tweet to win this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Log on to www.capitaland.com/inside to find out more.

2. Pandamonium at CapitaMalls (August)
Bask in the pre-party atmosphere this August as pandamonium hits selected CapitaMalls managed by CapitaMalls Asia, CapitaLand’s shopping mall business. Panda mascots Kai Kai and Jia Jia will be making their public appearances outside the wildlife parks to surprise panda fans with lots of birthday treats, including a chance to win tickets to the panda party through our photo contest^.

^Shoot & Win Tickets to Panda Party
1. Shoot a photo together with the adorable panda mascots
2. Upload the photo onto Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
3. Hashtag #PandaParty
4. Stand a chance to win tickets for a private panda party on 6 September

3. Panda Party Week at River Safari (7-15 September)*
From 7-15 September, visitors to River Safari can participate in free guided tours at the lush Giant Panda Forest, home to Kai Kai and Jia Jia. Learn more about these endangered bears from wildlife volunteers at the panda awareness booth, and feel the teeth of a giant panda or get a whiff of panda poop! Face painters will be around to turn you into a panda before meeting the birthday duo, and party animals can go on a frenzy at our panda-themed photo booth!

A birthday party will never be complete without a cake. Visitors can enjoy a slice of panda birthday cake with every set meal purchased at Mama Panda Kitchen. To herald the festivities, Mama Panda Kitchen will whip out new panda-themed bites, including a chocolate custard panda pau, panda cookies, pineapple shortcakes, and cupcakes.

Go wild at House of Kai Kai and Jia Jia with a new range of panda plush toys all decked out in colourful multi-racial costumes. In addition, visitors can take home birthday edition towels and other exclusive panda merchandise – all offered at discounted rates in celebration of the panda party week.

Gastronomical and wildlife adventure at Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park.

Cantonese Roast Pork

Singapore, 10 July 2013 – In celebration of the Singapore Food Festival this July, visitors can look forward to exploring Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park and indulging in a mouthwatering seven-course feast at a special price of S$68+.

The experiential dining journey begins with lunch at River Safari Tea House, the park’s Chinese restaurant that features cuisine from the main dialect groups in Singapore. Set in a quaint teahouse setting, visitors can savour six tantalizing Asian delights including Teochew Bak Kut Teh, Hakka Yong Tau Foo and Cantonese Roasts.

After lunch, visitors can embark on a wild adventure in the park and meet over 5,000 animal specimens representing 300 species, including endangered giants such as the giant river otter, Mekong giant catfish and giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

A sweet finale of delectable desserts await at the Mama Panda Kitchen. The dessert platter includes cempedak crème brulee, fresh tropical fruits and the ever-popular panda paus for a pandastic ending in the park.

Programme
11.30am to 12.00pm: Registration and collection of admission tickets at River Safari Tea House (Located near River Safari Entrance Plaza)
12.00pm to 1.30pm: Lunch at River Safari Tea House
1.30pm to 3.00pm: Free and easy tour at River Safari
3.00pm to 4.30pm: Dessert platter at Mama Panda Kitchen (Located near Giant Panda Forest)